With nearly two decades of experience in the fashion industry, Durham MBA student and circular fashion entrepreneur Lucy has built a career at the intersection of innovation, sustainability and business transformation. From her early days as a model agent to co-founding fashion rental platform LOANHOOD and working to accelerate circular business models across the industry, she  has become a passionate advocate for creating a more sustainable future for fashion.

Currently balancing a full-time role, an MBA, entrepreneurial ventures and family life, Lucy is using her Durham MBA experience to deepen her strategic and leadership skills while applying her learning in real time. In this interview, she reflects on her journey into sustainability, the value of the Online MBA community, the impact of receiving a Durham scholarship, and how the programme is helping shape the next chapter of her career.

What first sparked your interest in sustainability, and at what point did you realise fashion was where you wanted to focus that energy?

I have worked in the fashion industry for close to 20 years, and my love of fashion came long before my awareness of sustainability. I spent the first half of my career as a model agent, helping brands sell more products and encouraging consumption across both fast fashion and luxury markets. Over time, I became increasingly aware of the environmental and social impact of the industry and started questioning the cycle of endless production and consumption. That realisation sparked my interest in sustainability and ultimately led me to focus my energy on finding ways to keep clothing in use for longer through circular business models, resale, rental and reuse.

What made you decide to pursue an MBA at this stage of your career?

After winding up the tech side of my business and finding out I was pregnant with my second daughter, I realised I had a rare opportunity ahead of me. Maternity leave would likely be the last time in my career that I could dedicate a significant amount of time to learning and personal development without the demands of running a business or working full-time. An MBA felt like the perfect way to build on nearly two decades of practical experience, challenge my thinking, and gain the strategic, financial and leadership skills needed to have a greater impact in the sustainability and circular economy space. I had learnt so much running my own businesses I knew that the theory behind those decisions would definitely support my next phase of professional growth.

Why did you choose Durham University Business School specifically and why the Online MBA format over a full-time programme?

The Online MBA format was the right choice for me because I already had a young daughter and was balancing family life alongside my career. I found myself drawn to Durham University Business School. Beyond its reputation as a top-tier University with a world-class Business School, it held a personal connection for me. My Dad was from Durham and, as someone who grew up in the North East, the University felt both familiar and aspirational.

I spoke with friends and colleagues who had completed a range of MBA programmes before making my decision. Ultimately, I chose Durham because of its academic prestige, strong global reputation and the calibre of its network. The online format gave me the flexibility I needed, while still allowing me to gain the credentials and learning experience of a highly respected MBA programme.

What has surprised you most about the Online MBA, and how are you applying what you learn in real time?

What has surprised me most about the Online MBA is the strength of the community you can build, even when you're not learning together in person. Our cohort WhatsApp group has become an invaluable resource, providing everything from academic support and career advice to insights from incredible professionals based all over the world. It also brings some much-needed humour and camaraderie to what can be a very intense programme.

I started a new role shortly after returning from maternity leave, which has given me the opportunity to apply my learning in real time. Whether it's strategy, finance, leadership or project management, I've been able to directly use concepts from the MBA within the business. Seeing the practical impact of those lessons has been incredibly rewarding and has helped deepen my understanding far beyond the classroom.

How do you manage studying alongside working, family life and your business LOANHOOD? What does a typical week look like?

LOANHOOD is now more of a side hustle alongside my full-time role at Reskinned, another business focused on accelerating circular fashion. Add in studying for an MBA and raising two young children, and life can be pretty full! That said, LOANHOOD remains a real passion project for me.

My business partner, Dr. Jade McSorley, has just completed her PhD, so we're both guilty of constantly taking on new challenges. We genuinely believe that circular models represent one of the most sustainable ways to consume fashion, which keeps us motivated to continue building the community and running our swap shops and events.

A typical week is a careful balancing act between work, travelling to London, family life and study. The flexibility of the Online MBA is what makes it possible. I often study in the evenings once the children are asleep, during weekends, and whenever I can carve out focused time. It's busy, but because all of the things I'm working on are connected by a shared purpose around sustainability and circularity, they tend to complement rather than compete with each other.

Has anything you've studied challenged your existing thinking or made you change your approach to the business?

Honestly, the MBA has just made me double down rather than challenged my core beliefs about business. Throughout my career, I've found that strong relationships, integrity and hard work consistently deliver the best outcomes, and the programme has given me frameworks and evidence that support those instincts.

A friend once bought me a poster that simply says, "Be Kind and Work Hard," and it remains one of my favourite mottos. Treating others well, building trust and being willing to put in the effort are principles that have served me throughout my career and continue to guide how I approach business today.

How has the scholarship you received from Durham helped you?

The scholarship made a huge difference. I funded the MBA through a combination of the scholarship, a student loan and personal investment. Many of my peers have had their course fees covered by their employers, so receiving financial support from Durham helped make the programme far more accessible for me.

I've always believed that investing in yourself is one of the best investments you can make, but without the scholarship it would have been a significant financial challenge. Beyond the financial support, it also gave me confidence that Durham saw potential in me and my contribution to the programme, which was incredibly encouraging at the start of the journey.

How do you see the MBA shaping the next chapter, for you personally and professionally?

The MBA has already shaped me both personally and professionally, and I believe its impact will continue long after I graduate. Professionally, it has given me the confidence, strategic thinking and commercial understanding to operate at a more senior level and make a greater contribution to businesses driving positive change. It has also strengthened my belief that sustainability and commercial success can, and must, go hand in hand.

Looking ahead, I hope to use everything I've learned to help scale circular business models and contribute to building a more sustainable future for the fashion industry. Whatever comes next, the MBA has given me a stronger foundation to lead with confidence and purpose.